Refrigerator



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REFRIGERATOR.

Patented Sept. 24, 1889.

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'UNITED STATES PATENT rines.

MILLIS KNICKERBOCKER, OF LAYVTEY, FLORDA.

REFRIGERATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 411,665, dated September 24, 188'9. Application filed January 15, 1889. Serial No. 296,435. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Beit known that I, MILLIs KNICKERBOCKER, of Lawtey, Bradford county, Florida,have in vented certain new and useful Improvements in Refrigerators, of which the following is a specificatiomreference being had to the accompanying drawing.

The obj ect of my invention is to provide at small cost a refrigerator which will successfully perform its ofhce with a considerable saving in the consumption of ice.

My invention consists in such improvements as l shall hereinafter describe, and succinctly specify in my claims.

In the accompanying drawing is shown a central vertical section of my invention filled as for transportation with ice above and boxes of merchandise below. This drawing shows my invention embodied in a refrigerator especially adapted to the transportation of oranges, strawberries, or other tropical products to northern markets; but my improvements are not limited to this peculiar form of refrigerator. They may be applied with advantage to other forms or kinds of refrigerators.

Referring to the letters on the drawing, A indicates a box or chest provided, as usual, with non-conducting walls, which may be of any desired form or size and thickness of walls. For the purpose of transporting tropical fruits it should be made air-tight, with no side door, but with a tight cover B. This cover may, if desired, be secured in place by any usual or suitable ineansmfor example, ordinary buttons C.

D indicates a ledge, which may form part of the frame of the chest and project inward and support a platform M for the ice and water receptacle E. This receptacle may have iianges F around its upper edges, to rest on the shoulders G of the chest, if de# sired; but the form or kind of support for the ice-receptacle may be varied at will, the

kinds named being only mentioned as examples.

H indicates sponge or other resilient absorbent to take up the water formed by the melting ice.

I is a perforated plate or suitable support of any kind resting on the absorbent, with the ice resting on it.

K indicates coiled springs, Which may be used where the weight of ice necessary to be carried is sufficient to require them to aid in holding u p the plate I. In some cases the springs may not be needed. They can be removable, and may be usedor not, as desired.

L indicates baskets or boxes of vegetable merchandise arranged upon ordinary perforated separating-partitions and filling the lower part of the chest.

The ice being in the upper part of the chest, a circulation of the air in the chest will constantly go on, because the cold air near the ice Will descend and its temperature will be raised, when it will rise and be cooled again, and so a continuous current from top to bottom and back again will be produced. The absorbent will keep all water from contact with the ice, so that it will melt slowly and last much longer than usual. It will be seen by the arrows that the air in circulation Adoes not come in contact with the ice, which is kept in a small space and kept dry. The result is, that the ice not only does not melt fast, but the air in the chest does not become too moist. It remains in its original dry state, and so by its dryness and constant circulation perfectly preserves the freshness and davor of fruits or vegetables being transported or stored.

l. In a refrigeratonchcst, the combination of an air-tight ice -chamben an elastic absorbent substance in the bottom of said chamber, and a perforated partition between said elastic absorbent substance and the ice within the chamber, substantially as set forth.

2. In a refrigeratonchest, the combination of an air-tightice-chamber, elastic absorbent substance, and auxiliary spiral springs in the bottom of said chamber, and a perforated partition between said absorbent and springs and the icc within the chamber, substantially as set forth.

ln a refrigerator-chest, the combination of an ar-tigl1tee-el1a1nber, elastic absorbent In testimony of all which I have hereunto substance in the bottom of said chamber, a subscribeclmy name. perforated partition between said elasto abv sorbent substance and the ice Within said MILLIS KNICKERBOCKER' 5 Chamber, and an air-tight packing-chamber vW'itnesses:

below the ice-chamber, substantially as set ERAsTUs G. HILL, forth. JOHN B. MGOULLEY. 

